Power unit



` sept. 13, 1938. G. o. DEAN 2,129,652

POWER UNIT Original Filed Oct. 2'7, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet l Gean sept., 13, 193s. G, o, DEAN 2,129,652

POWER UNIT Original Filed Oct. 27, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 13, 1938 UNITED STATES POWER UNIT George O. Dean, Plainview, Tex.

Application October 27, 1936, Serial No. 107,894 Renewed July 26, 1938 2 Claims.

This invention relates to power. plants, and it is primarily an object of the invention to provide an apparatus of this kind which is operated under the action of the wind and which is so constructed and arranged to provide economical means to provide power for operating pumps and the like.

The invention also has for an object to provide an apparatus of this kind which is particularly adapted for use in those portions of the country which are subjected to drought, the construction of the apparatus being such to assure the same having a maximum of eiciency irrespective of the direction in which the wind may be blowing.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of this kind comprising a plurality of specially constructed vanes havin-g rotation about a common vertical axis together with means whereby the apparatus may be readily and electively maintained in desired assembly.

An additional object of the invention is toprovide a device of this kind wherein each of the vanes is of a feathering type and wherein means are provided for controlling the action of the blades of a vane whereby the speed of rotation of the vanes may be regulated.

The invention consists in the details of co-nstruction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved power plant whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I Will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:-

Figure 1 is a View in top plan and of somewhat a diagrammatic character of a power plant constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, a second position of the blades of the vane being indicated by broken lines;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view illustrating the mounting for the mast of the apparatus as herein embodied;

Figure 4 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of the apparatus as herein embodied.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, I

. denotes a vertically disposed mast or shaft preferably tubular and which has threaded in its lower end portion a shank 2 carried by an extension cylindrical bearing block 3. 'I'his block 3 is relatively long and is received within a bushing 4 preferably embedded in a cementitious base or foundation 5. 'I'he lower or inserted end of the bushing 4 is closed, as at 4a, and interposed between said lower closed end 4a and the inserted end of the bearing block 3 is a relatively large anti-friction ball 6. The lower or inner end of the block 3 is concave as indicated by broken lines at I for proper coaction With the ball 6.

The upper portion of the bushing 4 has its bore transversely enlarged, as at 8, to provide a raceway 9 for the anti-friction members orball bearings I0 which surround the bearing block 3 y and thus further assure the rotation of the block 3 and, of course, the mast or shaft I with a minimum of frictional resistance.

The upper end of the bushing 4 is closed by a nut II threading into the upper portion of the bushing 4 and snugly surrounding the mast or shaft I and the adjacent portion of the bearing block 3. 'I'he bushing 4 is adapted to have placed therein a suitable lubricant, preferably grease.

The upper end of the shaft or mast I is closed by a cylindrical block I2 similar to the block 3.

hereinbefore referred to and contacting with the i upper concave face of the block I2 is a ball bearing I4. Disposed over this upper end of the mast or shaft I is an inverted cap I5, the lower portion of which being closed by an annular enlargement I6 surrounding the upper portion of the mast o-r shaft I. This cap I5 is also intended to contain a suitable supply of lubricant, preferably grease.

The cap I5 at equidistantly spaced points therearound is provided with the outstanding eye members I1 preferably four in number and to which are suitably connected the upper extremities of the guy lines I8. These lines I8 extend over and engage from above the posts or uprights I9 and are continued downwardly and connected by the turnbuckles 20 with the anchor lines 2I. The posts I9 are of desired height and the upper extremity of each of said posts is preferably bifurcated with a guy line I8 passing through the kerf of the bifurcation.

The posts I9 have their lower ends suitably anchored within a cementitious base or foundation 22 and the posts I9 at their upper extremities are connected by the bracing lines or cables I8 whereby is further assured the desired effective mounting of the vertically disposed mast or shaft I. The turnbuckles 20 permit ready tightening or loosening of the guy lines I8 as may be found necessary in order to maintain the required vertical position of the mast or shaft I.

Fixed to the mast or shaft I at desired points spaced therealong are the heads or enlargements 23 to which are bolted or otherwise rigidly attached as may be preferred the extremities of the upper and lower arms 24 extending inwardly from each of the vanes V herein disclosed as four in number. These arms 24 as herein disclosed are in continuation of the upper and lower members 25 of each of the vanes V. The outer extremities of the arms 25 are connected by an.

interposed vertical member 26 and connected to and interposed between the inner ends of the arms 25 is a second vertically disposed member 21. These members 25, 26 and 21 constitute the frame structure of a vane and this frame structure is braced and reinforced by the crossed struts 28 extending diagonally across the interior` of the frame and also by a central vertical strut 29.

The vertical members 26 and 21 at equidistantly spaced points rotatably support thefshafts or pintles 3l! for the feathering blades 3|. An upper blade when in yclosedr or working position laps and has coaction with the shaft or pintle 30 of the blade immediately tlierebelowv while the lowermost blade 3| when in closed or working position laps and has contact with an upstanding fiange 25a of the lower horizontal member 2 5. This feathering action of the blades 3| Aassures effective and eiiicient operation Vof the apparatus, said blades being closed when the Vane is moving with thewind and, of course, opening when the vane is travelling againstthe wind; e

The upper member 25v and the end members 26 and 21 of each of the vanesareprovided with the upwardly and outwardly ,inclined flanges 32, the adjacent extremities of which are connected. These flanges 32 providelmeans to assure an effective driving action of the wind upon the closed blades 3|. K g n Y l' Pivotally connected with the blades3| of each of the vanes is a pair of vertically disposed parallel rods 33 whichoperate to cause all of 'such blades to move in unison and in the same general direction. The upper extremityvofeach of the rods 33 has connected thereto a flexible member 34 which passes up and over a guide pulley 35 herein disclosed as operativelysupported by a bracket 36 suitably `secured to the upper flange 32. The cables or flexible members 34 of both of the rods 33 are operativelywc'onnected to a common cable or flexible member 31 with which are also operatively engaged the cables or flexible members 34 leading from the rods 33 of the diam-etrically opposed vane V. The common cable or flexible member 31 is of such Aa length that when the blades of one of the vanes are entirely closed the blades 3| of the diametrically opposed vane will b evfully open. 'Ihere is an advantage in this arrangement as the action of the wind effecting the full closing of the blades 3| of one vane will positively assure the 'desiredfull opening of the blades 3| of the vdiametrically opposed vane.

Thelblades 3| of each of the vanes may be in'- dependently adjusted asA may be required toV regulate or control the desired rotation of the shaft I by providing a separate cable or flexible memis preferably .positioned below the vane V and closely adjacent to the supporting foundation for the mast or shaft I.

I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself in any way to the use to .which may be put the power created by my improved plant although I wish to state that I particularly have in mind a cheapand economical apparatus for operating pumps for irrigating land in those sections of the s country subjected to drought, the water being preferably taken from wells although, of course, the source of water may come from any available stream.

From the foregoing descriptionit is thought to be obvious that a power plant constructed in accordance with my invention is partieularlywell adapted for use by reason Vof the convenience and facility with which it may be assembledl and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modication without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself Vto the precise arrangement and formation of the Yseveral parts herein shown in carrying out m-y invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

l. A power plant comprising a plurality of radially arranged vanes, means supporting said vanes for rotary movement, each of said vanes comprising a plurality of blades, horizontally disposed pivots for each blade at one edge thereof,

means secured to the free edges of the bladesl connecting the blades of each vane together for movement in unison, and flexible rneans connecting the blades of diametric'ally opposed vanes together in such a manner that movement of the blades of one vane to 'closed position will positively move the blades of the opposed vane to open position.

2. A power plant comprising a plurality of ra'- dially arranged vanes, means supporting said vanes for rotary movement, each of said vanes comprising open frame structure including marginal plates disposed in divergent relation with respect to the movement of air, the divergent side of the frame constituting the intake side of the frame, a plurality of blades, horizontally disposed pivot members for said blades secured to the convergent end of the frame, a vertically 'disposed connecting bar pivotally secured to the free edges of said blades whereby said blades will rock in unison on said pivot members, a bracket se'- cured to each frame at the upper edge thereof, a pulley carried by 'each bracket, and a flexible member secured at the ends thereof to diametrically opposed connecting bars and trained over said pulleys whereby downward movement of the blades of one vane under the action of gravity and wind pressure will simultaneously raise diametrically opposed blades.

GEORGE O. DEAN. 

